Self calibrating media edge sensor

ABSTRACT

Various edge detection arrangements are disclosed, including an edge detection method and arrangement that utilizes outputs of commonly illuminated reference and edge sensors as the inputs for a comparator. The reference sensor is configured to have a wide field of view and the edge sensor is configured to have a narrow, high gain, field of view. Therefore, the reference sensor has a broad signal response to an edge passage and the edge sensor a steep and narrow signal response. When the two signals are biased to cross each other, the comparator output changes state, indicating passage of an edge. Because the reference sensor provides a base signal level directly related to the real time illumination level that the edge sensor also receives, the reference sensor provides a switch point along the transition ramp of the edge sensor that integrates a majority of the random error sources.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/047,321, filed Jan. 28, 2005, which claimspriority from U. S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/481,974, filedJan. 30, 2004. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/047,321 andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/481,974 is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to media sensors. More specifically, thepresent invention provides methods and arrangements for media edgesensors useful, for example, in a label printer.

2. Description of Related Art

Edge detection is used for identifying the passage of leading and ortrailing edges of media as a means for counting and or accurate spatialregistration of operations to be performed upon desired areas of themedia. For example, label printers pass an array of labels releasablyadhered to a support web past a printhead. An emitter and a detectorpair are positioned on either side of the support web to detect changesin the web transmissivity between areas of the web covered by a labeland the areas of uncovered web between each label. When thetransmissivity changes from high to low or vice versa, a signal istransmitted to the printer processor indicating that a label edge hasbeen detected. Thereby, accurate spatial orientation of printed indiciaupon each label is enabled.

Some prior edge sensors have used an aperture to localize the emitteroutput and or mask the detector as a means for increasing the rate ofchange between a high transmissivity and a low transmissivity state, asa label edge passes the detector. As shown in FIG. 1, because of lightscattering that occurs in the web, even if an aperture is used, asharply defined transition does not occur. Noise generated in part bythe presence of paper fibers or other non-uniformities in the web and orlabels introduces a further random error to the detector by varying thepoint, relative to the actual edge location, at which a presettransition threshold signal level is detected.

The emitter, detector, aperture and their precise placement with respectto each other introduces further opportunity for variability of thesensor response characteristics. Performance characteristics of sensorcomponents may vary batch to batch as the different components arereceived from a single or multiple suppliers and over time as componentsensitivity and or output levels degrade. Further, environmental foulingof the emitter, aperture and or detector will degrade sensor circuitresponse characteristics over time.

Alternatively, edge detection may be performed by illuminating the backof the web and detecting the reflectivity changes caused by passage of,for example, a black mark placed on the back of the web, relative to alabel edge. Black marks may also be used to indicate approach of a mediarun-out condition. However, reflectivity and diffusion variances in theweb and or printed marks can still create similar signal response randomerror characteristics as noted above. Furthermore, different placementsand performance characteristics of sensor components from batch tobatch, and environmental fouling of such components over time, can alsostill degrade sensor circuit response characteristics.

Nonetheless, users expect label and other such printers and devices tofunction with a wide range of different media and support webcombinations having a wide range of transmissivity and or lightscattering characteristics. Therefore, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide methods and apparatuses that overcome suchdeficiencies in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a representative signal response chart for a typical prior artemitter/aperture/detector media edge transmissivity sensingconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical schematic of a first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an aperture mask.

FIG. 4 a is a schematic top view representation of the aperture mask ofFIG. 3, relative to a web showing a condition during media feed whereboth apertures are covered by a label.

FIG. 4 b is a schematic top view representation of the aperture mask ofFIG. 3, relative to a web showing a condition during media feed wherethe reference aperture is exposed to a label edge, but the edge apertureis not.

FIG. 4 c is a schematic top view representation of the aperture mask ofFIG. 3, relative to a web showing a condition during media feed whereboth apertures are ex-posed to a label edge.

FIG. 5 is a representative signal response chart for an edge sensingcircuit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified electrical schematic of a first embodiment of theinvention with emitter current feed-back control.

FIG. 7 is a representative signal response chart for an edge sensingcircuit according to a first embodiment of the invention with emittercurrent feedback control.

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view representation of the inventioncomponent positioning for a second embodiment, relative to a web.

FIG. 8B is a schematic side view representation of the inventioncomponent positioning for a third embodiment, relative to a web.

FIG. 9 is a representative signal response chart for an edge sensingcircuit according to a second embodiment of the invention in black markdetecting mode.

FIG. 10 illustrates a media edge detection arrangement positioned alonga feed path defined by a printer in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an output voltage profile as a function of emittercurrent corresponding to the translucence profile of a given media type.

FIG. 12 show a high level block diagram of a media edge detectionarrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified electrical schematic of the signal conditioningmodule of FIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 illustrates how the virtual ground offset voltage and thecorresponding on-to-off duty cycle that will generate this offsetvoltage, can be calculated for a given media, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a media sensor calibration logic diagram for determiningthe virtual ground offset voltage and corresponding on-to-off duty cyclethat will generate this offset voltage for a given media, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a first set of possible scenarios associated withdetermining the virtual ground offset voltage and corresponding offsetduty cycle for a given media type, where Position A is on a label andPosition B is on a gap, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a second set of possible scenarios associated withdetermining the virtual ground offset voltage and corresponding offsetduty cycle for a given media type, where Position A is on a gap andPosition B is on a label, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 shows a high level block diagram of a media edge detectionarrangement using a collimated laser, such as a vertical cavity surfaceemitting laser (VCSEL), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a peel bar assembly that includes a media edgedetection arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide media edge detection arrangementswhich function with a wide range of different media and support webcombinations having a wide range of transmissivity and or lightscattering characteristics.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an edge detector fordetecting passage of media transition edges of a moving web which changethe energy transmissivity of the web is described that includes a firstemitter positioned to emit energy through the web towards a referencesensor and an edge sensor; the reference sensor having a referencesensor output corresponding to an energy level received from the firstemitter; the edge sensor having an edge sensor output corresponding toan energy level received from the first emitter; the reference sensorhaving a broader field of view than the edge sensor in the direction ofthe advancing media; and the reference sensor output and the edge sensoroutput coupled to a comparator having a first output when the referencesensor output is greater than the edge sensor output and a second outputwhen the reference sensor output is less than the edge sensor output,wherein a transition between the first and second outputs of thecomparator marks the passage of a media transition edge.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an edge detector fordetecting passage of media transition edges of a moving web which changethe energy transmissivity of the web is described that includes anemitter located proximate a reference sensor and an edge sensor wherebyenergy emitted from the emitter is reflected by the web towards thereference sensor and the edge sensor; the reference sensor having areference sensor output corresponding to an energy level received fromthe emitter; the edge sensor having an edge sensor output correspondingto an energy level received from the emitter; the reference sensorhaving a broader field of view than the edge sensor in the direction ofthe advancing media; and the reference sensor output and the edge sensoroutput coupled to a comparator having a first output when the referencesensor output is greater than the edge sensor output and a second outputwhen the reference sensor output is less than the edge sensor output,wherein a transition between the first and second outputs of thecomparator marks the passage of a media transition edge.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method fordetecting a media edge in a media path is described that includes thesteps of adjusting a reference sensor to have a broader field of viewwith respect to the media path than an edge sensor; illuminating theedge sensor and the reference sensor across the media path; andcomparing an output of the edge sensor with an output of the referencesensor.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system and methodfor detecting passage of transition edges of a moving web which changethe energy transmissivity of the web is described that includes anemitter positioned to emit energy through the web towards a sensor; thesensor having a sensor output corresponding to an energy level receivedfrom the emitter; a signal conditioning module for amplifying andshifting the sensor output from the sensor so as to normalize the sensoroutput to a certain range of levels for detection; an edge sensingmodule for controlling detection of transition edges in the web, thedetection based at least in part on the normalized sensor output of thesignal conditioning module; and a processor that is connected tocommunicate with the signal conditioning module and the edge sensingmodule, the processor configured for: determining, based at least inpart on the normalized sensor output of the signal conditioning module,a label signal level and an inter-label gap signal level corresponding,respectively, to a label portion and an inter-label gap portion of theweb; setting a label/inter-label gap threshold between the label andinter-label gap signal levels; and detecting when the normalized sensoroutput of the signal conditioning module crosses the label/inter-labelgap threshold.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a system fordetecting passage of transition edges of a moving web which change theenergy transmissivity of the web is described that includes a collimatedlight source, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)or side emitting laser positioned to emit energy through the web towardsa sensor; the sensor having a sensor output corresponding to an energylevel received from the emitter; a signal conditioning module fornormalizing the sensor output to a certain range of levels fordetection; an edge sensing module for controlling detection oftransition edges in the web, the detection based at least in part on thenormalized sensor output of the signal conditioning module; and aprocessor connected to communicate with the signal conditioning moduleand the edge sensing module, the processor configured for: determining,based at least in part on the normalized sensor output of the signalconditioning module, a label signal level and an inter-label gap signallevel corresponding, respectively, to a label portion and an inter-labelgap portion of the web; setting a label/inter-label gap thresholdbetween the label and inter-label gap signal levels; and detecting whenthe normalized sensor output of the signal conditioning module crossesthe label/inter-label gap threshold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The present invention utilizes outputs of commonly illuminated referenceand edge sensors as the inputs for a comparator. The reference sensor isconfigured to have a wide field of view and the edge sensor isconfigured to have a narrow, high gain, field of view. Therefore, thereference sensor has a broad signal response to an edge passage and theedge sensor a steep and narrow signal response. When the two signals arebiased to cross each other, the comparator output changes state,indicating passage of an edge. Because the reference sensor provides abase signal level directly related to the real time illumination levelthat the edge sensor also receives, the reference sensor provides aswitch point along the transition ramp of the edge sensor thatintegrates a majority of the random error sources. Therefore, thecomparator output is self-calibrating for a wide range of differentmedia transmissivities, the presence, on average, of embedded fiberswithin the web and varying sensor component output and or sensitivity.

A first embodiment of the invention uses an energy emitter thatilluminates, through the media, a reference sensor 2 and an edge sensor4. A simplified electrical schematic of the sensor circuit is shown inFIG. 2. The reference sensor 2 and the edge sensor 4 sense the firstemitter 6 output passing through the web between each label. The outputof each sensor is input to a comparator 8 that switches state when theedge signal level exceeds the reference signal level. To ensure that thesteady state “high” reference signal level is below the edge signal“high” level, a bias may be introduced via modifications to the aperturedimensions and or adjusting components. In one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the bias may be introduced by adjusting a pair ofpull-down resistor values so that R1 is larger than R2. More generally,however, the bias can be introduced in a variety of ways includingdeliberate sensor mismatching, differences in corresponding parts (e.g.,pull-down resistor values, etc.) or other bias sources. Also, when usingA/D converter(s), for example, the bias can be introduced in the relatedsoftware. The bias, which can be introduced in any of these ways, aswell as others not currently listed, helps to eliminate spurious outputwhen both sensors 2, 4 see label only.

As shown by FIG. 3, a mask 10 with a reference aperture 11 arrangedperpendicular to an edge aperture 12 may be used to provide thereference sensor 2 with a wide view and the edge sensor 4 with a narrow,high gain, view of the first emitter 6 output passing through the web13. Alternatively, the apertures 11,12 may be formed in mask(s)individual to each sensor 2,4. Also, the masks may be integrated witheach sensor, and the sensors mounted so that the apertures 11,12 areperpendicular to each other. Where the first emitter 6 is an infrared orvisible light emitting diode (LED), the reference sensor 2 and the edgesensor 4 may be, for example, photo transistors or photo diodes.Alternatively, any form of energy emitter and corresponding sensorscapable of generating output signals proportional to the energy levelsreceived may be used.

As the media 13 moves past the reference sensor 2, and edge sensor 4(both covered by mask 10), when both sensors are covered by a label 14,as shown in FIG. 4a, both sensors will have a low output level, thereference sensor 2 having a low level biased to be above that of theedge sensor 4. As a space between label(s) 14 approaches the sensors2,4, as shown in FIG. 4 b, the reference aperture 11 aligned parallel tothe feed direction, becomes illuminated before the edge aperture 12whereby the reference sensor 2 output rises before a significantincrease occurs at the edge sensor 4. When the edge aperture 12 isfinally illuminated, as shown in FIG. 4 c, the edge sensor 4 outputlevel rises quickly, passing through the signal level of the referencesensor 2, triggering the comparator 8 to change state and signal theprocessor that an edge has been detected. The signal level progression,with respect to the media location is shown in chart form in FIG. 5.

An increased range of media transmissivities usable with the system, aswell as compensation for lowered LED light output that may occur overtime may be built into the sensor circuit, to a certain extent, bylinking the reference sensor output to the current level delivered tothe first emitter 6 LED. As shown in FIG. 6, the reference sensor 2output may be tied to a transistor 16. If the reference sensor 2 outputdecreases, transistor 16 increases the current to the first emitter 6LED. The additional closed loop of this arrangement modifies the overallsignal level progression, as shown in FIG. 7, but the end result outputfrom the comparator 8 to the printer processor is the same.

A second embodiment of the invention is selectable between dual modes.In a first mode, the circuit operates as described above, monitoring webtransmissivity changes resulting from spaces between labels. In a secondmode, the circuit monitors web reflectivity changes resulting frompassage of black mark(s) 20 placed on the back side of the web. As shownin FIG. 8A, to add the second mode, a second emitter 18 is locatedproximate the edge sensor 2 and the reference sensor 4 to illuminate thesensor side of the web 13. If closed loop feedback is used for the firstemitter 6 supply current level as described herein above, the secondemitter 18 may be similarly configured.

A third embodiment of the invention includes a “reflective-only”version. As shown in FIG. 8B, this embodiment does not require thepresence of the emitter 6. Thus, rather than being selectable betweendual modes, the circuit need only be configured to monitor webreflectivity changes resulting from the passage of black mark(s) 20placed on the back side of the web. To do so, the emitter 18, as shownin FIG. 8B, is located proximate the edge sensor 2 and the referencesensor 4 to illuminate the sensor side of the web 13. As with the otherembodiments, closed loop feedback can be used for the emitter 18 supplycurrent level as described herein above.

With the circuit in black mark detecting mode, the first emitter 6 isdisabled and the second emitter 18 is energized. As shown by the signallevel progression in FIG. 9, the circuit operates with an invertedsteady state as both the reference sensor 2 and the edge sensor 4receive the second emitter 18 output reflection from the web, causingelevated reference sensor 2 and edge sensor 4 outputs. When a black mark20 approaches, the resulting lowered reflection from the web is firstdetected by the wider viewing reference sensor 2 causing a drop in thereference sensor 2 output level. When the black mark 20 reaches the viewof the edge sensor 4, the edge sensor 4 output drops below the level ofthe reference sensor 2, and the comparator 8 changes state to indicatedetection of the black mark 20. Here also, the reference sensor 2generates a base signal level directly related to the real timeillumination level that the edge sensor 4 also receives, providing aswitch point along the transition ramp of the edge sensor 4 thatintegrates a majority of the random error sources. Therefore, thecomparator 8 output is self-calibrating for different media 13reflectivities and second emitter 18 output variances.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference and edgesensors may be arranged with or without apertures and in differentorientations with respect to each other. Similarly, rather than usingapertures as filters for the emitter output, cylinder lenses may be usedto shape the emitter output directed to each sensor. According to theinvention, it is only necessary that one of the two sensors react to theapproach of a transition edge before the other so that it may assume asignal output level which the other will traverse, providing a selfcalibrating signal level transition which a comparator then operatesupon.

The self-calibrating media edge sensor arrangement described above hasbeen demonstrated in detail with respect to a label printer. However,other applications of the invention will be readily apparent to oneskilled in the art for many types of media having a moving web withtransition edges including, for example, photographic negative framedetection and or monitoring of alignment indicia used in offset webprinting processes.

Further, the self-calibrating media edge sensor arrangement describedabove has been demonstrated with respect to a semiconductor comparatorelement. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a comparatorfunction according to the invention may also be achieved, for example,through the use of A/D converter(s) and logical comparison of the signallevels within a computer processor. In one embodiment, the comparatorcan include a pair of A/D converters, one of which is used for samplingthe output of the reference sensor and the other for sampling the outputof edge sensor. The comparator can further include a processor coupledto the pair of A/D converters which generates either a first output or asecond output by logically comparing the outputs of the A/D converters.In another embodiment, the comparator can include a single A/D converterwith a multiplexer used for taking alternate readings from each of thereference sensor and the edge sensor. A processor coupled to such A/Dconverter can then be used to generate either a first output or a secondoutput by logically comparing respective reference sensor and edgesensor readings taken by the A/D converter.

Thus, the media edge sensor arrangement described above provides anextremely accurate self calibrating edge detection circuit comprising aminimal number of physical components and little or no requirement forhost logical processing overhead.

Other media edge sensor arrangements are also contemplated by thepresent invention. As indicated above, transmissive media sensors allowa printer, or other such device, to determine the start of each labelfor vertical image registration, and to determine when the media supplyhas been exhausted. Transmissive media sensors work with media of twogeneral types: opaque (or nearly opaque) media with notches or holes,and partially opaque media with areas of less opacity between labels.Examples of these two types of media are card stock with notches, anddie cut labels on a continuous liner. The opacity profile of the firsttype of media as it moves through the sensor is 100% opacity during thelabel with short periods of 0% opacity during the notch or hole. Theopacity profile of the second type of media as it moves through thesensor is some opacity amount (A%) during the label with short periodsof less opacity (B%) during the inter label gap. In both types, theopacity seen by the sensor is 0% when the media is exhausted. The rangesof the opacities, A% and B%, can be very wide (e.g. from nearly 0% to100%), and the range of difference between label and gap opacity (A%-B%)can also be wide.

Media edge sensor configurations in accordance with the presentinvention can be used in a wide variety of devices including varioustypes of thermal printers. For instance, FIG. 10 shows a typical exampleof a label printer 30 having a feed path 32, which is of a type thatcould be used in accordance with the present invention. Specifically,the label printer 30 is a direct thermal transfer printer where noribbon is required. As is known in the art, printing is performed byselective heating of a printhead element on the media to create theimage applied to each label. In this printer, a roll of media 13 (notshown) is placed on the spindles 34 and is fed through the adjustableguides 36 and over the platen roller 38. The printer further includes aprinthead 54 for printing on the media 13 when, in operation, the coveris closed so the printhead is brought into contact with the media as themedia lays over the platen 38. The platen 38 advances the media 13 whilethe printhead 54 selectively heats the media to produce the imageapplied to each label.

To monitor the opacity profile of the media 13 moving along the feedpath 32, the printer 30 further includes an emitter 76, a sensor (ordetector) 78 and a main logic board 80 having a signal processing system82 (not shown). Although this configuration is shown in use with labels,it could also be used with cards and other types of stock for sensingcard edges and other such media features. In general, the sensor 78 canbe located anywhere along the feed path 32 between the media role (onthe spindles 34) and the platen 38. In the printer of FIG. 10, thesensor 78 is positioned along the feed path 32 between the guides 36 andthe platen 38, while the emitter 76 is positioned in the lid or cover ofthe printer 30.

In one embodiment, the emitter 76 is a light emitting diode (LED) thatemits infrared energy towards the sensor 78. The sensor 78 will produceoutput voltage signals in response to the opacity profile of the media13 passing before it. For example, FIG. 11 illustrates an output voltageprofile of the sensor 78, as a function of emitter current (orintensity), corresponding to the translucence profile of a given media13 moving along the feed path 32. In this example, the type of media 13moving along the feed path 32 includes die cut labels on a continuousliner, and has three distinct opacity levels along its translucenceprofile: “label,” “inter-label gap” and “media out.” As illustrated inFIG. 11, each of these opacity levels generally corresponds to adifferent respective output voltage level for a given emitter intensity.

With proper adjustment of the emitter current, the media opacity profilewill produce sensor output signals that can be discriminated by thesignal processing system 82 on the main logic board 80. Thus, theability of the system to vary the emitter current (intensity) of theemitter 76 provides one degree of control over producing a desiredoutput voltage profile for a particular media 13. Additional degrees ofcontrol are achieved using the signal processing system 82, as describedbelow.

FIG. 12 shows a high-level block diagram of a media edge detectionarrangement 90 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The arrangement 90 includes a signal processing system 82having a signal conditioning module 92, an edge-sensing module 94 and aprocessor 96. Under control of the processor 96, the signal conditioningmodule 92 is used for normalizing the sensor output signal to a certainrange of levels for detection, and the edge sensing module 94 is used toprovide the logic for detecting media transition events within suchnormalized output signal. These aspects of the present invention aredescribed in detail below. The processor 96 can also be used to performa number of other functions including controlling the operation of theemitter 76 via an emitter control circuit 98. The emitter 76 ispositioned to transmit a beam of light through the media 13 towards thesensor 78. The output of the sensor 78 can be fed through a filteringmodule 100, which may include a notch filter used for hooking signalswithin a certain frequency range while filtering out ambient light andother noise that might be detected. An amplifier 102 may also beincluded for amplifying the signal after it has been filtered. Thesignal is then provided to the signal processing system 82 for mediaedge detection processing.

For a given emitter current, the sensor 78 will produce output voltagesignals in response to the opacity profile of the media 13 passingthrough it. The output voltage signals from the sensor 78 can beanalyzed by the signal processing system 82. By setting thresholdsbetween the signal levels that correspond to the label(s) 104 and to theinter-label gap(s) 106 (or notch(s)), the processor 96 can determinewhen these points in the media 13 pass through the sensor 78. In oneembodiment, there is a fixed distance from the sensing point of thesensor 78 to the print line of the printhead 54. Assuming the media 13does not slip, there are also a fixed number of motor steps between thesensor 78 and the print line as well. As a result, the processor 96 cancoordinate the start of printing for a label 104 with the number ofmotor steps that have been made since the start of the label passedthrough the sensor 78.

As indicated above, the processor 96 can also be configured to vary thepower to the emitter 76 as one degree of control over producing adesired output signal level from the sensor 78. There are many methodsby which a microprocessor can generate and control the current, andtherefore power, through an LED, including any number ofDigital-to-Analog converters. One skilled in the art of electricaldesign will recognize one such method is to supply the LED with currentfrom a digitally controlled DC voltage source through a fixed sourceresistance. Low-pass filtering a pulse-width-modulated digital controlsignal using a low output impedance, active filter can be used to createa digitally controlled DC voltage source. This method is assumed below,with Di, used to represent the On-to-Off duty cycle of themicroprocessor control signal that is low-pass-filtered to generate theLED Current.

For the die-cut label media type, the emitter current is set to maximizethe signal difference between the label 104 and inter-label gap 106without driving the inter-label gap signal too close to the media outsignal level. The signal processing system 82 then sets a threshold forthe label/inter-label gap boundary between the label and inter-label gapsignal levels, and sets a media out threshold between the inter-labelgap and no media present signal levels. For notched opaque media, thecurrent in the emitter 76 is set high enough for the sensor's output tobe at a maximum level with no media 13 present, and low enough for theoutput to be at its minimum when the label 104 is present. In this case,since there is no opacity difference between a notch and media out, theprocessor 96 must measure the width of all notches and assume the media13 is out when a notch exceeds the maximum specified notch width by somemargin.

FIG. 13 shows a simplified electrical schematic of thesignal-conditioning module 92 of FIG. 12, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. At a high level, thesignal-conditioning module 92 is used for amplifying and shifting thesensor 78 output signals such that they fill and are centered within adesired portion of the input range of the processor 96'sAnalog-to-Digital converter (not shown). In the embodiment of FIG. 13,the signal conditioning module 92 is a variable gain amplifier withmicroprocessor controlled gain and DC offset adjustments. The input tothe signal conditioning module, “Vin” (or V_(I)), is the output of thesensor 78 (after any preliminary filtering and/or amplification that maybe performed by modules 100 and 102), and the output of the signalconditioning module, “Vout” (or V_(O)), is the input of the processor96's Analog-to-Digital (A-to-D) converter. As would be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the output of the signalconditioning module (or amplifier) 92 shown in FIG. 13 can berepresented as follows: Vout=[(Vin-Voffset)*(1+R1/R2*Dgain)]+Voffset,where Voffset (or V_(os)) is the “virtual ground” offset voltage, andDgain is the microprocessor-controlled on-to-off duty cycle of theswitch (SW).

As indicated by this equation, the gain term of the amplifier shown inFIG. 13 is governed by, Gain=1+(R1/R2)*Dgain, where Dgain is themicroprocessor-controlled on-to-off duty cycle of the gain-controllingPWM (Pulse-Width-Modulated) signal for the switch (SW), R1 is thefeedback resistance, and R2 is the total resistance from the negativeopamp input terminal to virtual ground (Voffset). Therefore,Dgain=(Gain−1)/(R1/R2). As will be described below, both Voffset andDgain provide means for controlling the output of the signalconditioning module 92, which, in turn, provides means for controllingthe inputs provided to the edge sensing module 94 and the processor 96.There are many methods by which a microprocessor can generate andcontrol a reference voltage such as Voffset, including any number ofDigital-to-Analog converters. One skilled in the art of electricaldesign will recognize one such method is to low-pass filter apulse-width-modulated digital control signal using a low outputimpedance, active filter. This method is assumed below, with De, used torepresent the On-to-Off duty cycle of the microprocessor control signalthat is low-pass-filtered to generate the virtual ground reference,Voffset.

For example, using firmware on the main logic board 80, thesignal-conditioning module 92 can be used to produce a desired outputsignal, Vout, by controlling one or both of the virtual ground offsetvoltage, Voffset, and the on-to-off duty cycle, Dgain, of the switch,SW. In particular, by using the processor 96 to control these twoparameters (Voffset and Dgain), the signal-conditioning module (oramplifier) 92 can be used to both amplify and shift the sensor 78 outputsignals such that they fill and are centered within a desired portion ofthe input range of the processor 96's A-to-D converter. Thus, inaddition to the degree of control provided by varying the intensity ofthe emitter 76, as described above, the present invention also providestwo additional degrees of control over shaping the opacity profile seenby the edge sensing module 94 and the processor 96, for a given media13. Using these parameters as a means for amplifying and/or shifting theopacity profile of a given media 13 to fit within a desired portion ofthe input range of the processor 96's A-to-D converter, allows foroptimum detection of media transition events.

FIG. 14 illustrates how the virtual ground offset voltage, Voffset, andthe corresponding on-to-off duty cycle, Doffset, of thepulse-width-modulated signal that will generate this offset voltage, canbe calculated for a given media 13, whose opacity profile is to be fitwithin a desired portion of the input range of the processor 96's A-to-Dconverter. Referring to FIG. 14, V₁ and V₂ represent actual sensorvoltages taken at a label portion and an inter-label gap portion,respectively, of the media 13 prior to being processed by thesignal-conditioning module 92 (i.e., these voltages correspond to Vin inFIG. 13). Target_V1 (or V_(T1)) and Target_V2 (or V_(T2)), on the otherhand, represent the desired output voltages that correspond to V₁ andV₂, respectively. Stated differently, Target_V1 and Target_V2 define adesired range of output voltage levels (from the signal conditioningmodule 92) that fall within the operational input range of the processor96's A-to-D converter, but that correspond to the actual input voltagespread (V₁-V₂) between the label and inter-label gap portions of themedia 13.

Thus, it is a goal of the signal conditioning module 92 to take theactual input voltage spread (V₁-V₂) between the label and inter-labelgap portions of the media 13, and translate it in such a way that itfits within the desired range of levels defined by Target_V1 andTarget_V2. For example, in the particular embodiment of FIG. 14, thedesired range of levels represented by Target_V1 and Target_V2correspond to a range of levels that fall between five and fifty percentof the operational range of the processor 96's A-to-D converter.

With knowledge of both actual (or sampled) input values (V₁ and V₂) forthe media 13, and corresponding target output values (Target_V1 andTarget_V2) of the signal-conditioning module 92, the required gain andvirtual ground offset voltage of the amplifier can be calculated from,Gain=(Target_V2−Target_V1)/(V₂−V₁). Furthermore, due to the linearnature of the amplifier shown in FIG. 13, it is also true thatGain=(Target_V2−Voffset)/(V₂−Voffset). Therefore, it follows that:

-   -   Gain*(V₂−VoffSet)=(Target_V2−Voffset);    -   (V₂−Voffset)*Gain+Voffset=Target_V2;    -   Voffset−(Gain*Voffset)=Target_V2−(Gain*V₂);    -   Voffset*(1−Gain)=Target_V2−(Gain*V₂); and finally,    -   Voffset=(Target_V2−(Gain*V₂))/(1−Gain).

As indicated above, the gain term of the amplifier shown in FIG. 13 isgoverned by, Gain=1+(R1/R2)*Dgain, where: Dgain is themicroprocessor-controlled on-to-off duty cycle of thepulse-width-modulated signal for the switch, SW; R1 is the feedbackresistance; and R2 is the total resistance from the negative opamp inputterminal to virtual ground (Voffset). Therefore, Dgain=(Gain−1)/(R1/R2).

Now that the desired virtual ground offset voltage, Voffset, has beencalculated, the particular duty cycle of the PWM signal that willgenerate this virtual ground, Doffset, can also be found since theoffset duty cycle to offset voltage relationship is linear. Inparticular, because this relationship is linear, it would be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that:(Doffset−D_(e1))/(D_(e2)−D_(e1))=(VoffSet−V₁)/(V₂−V₁), where D_(e1) andD_(e2) are the duty cycles of the offset-voltage-generating PWM signalsthat produce offset voltages equal to V₁ and V₂, respectively. As willbe described in further detail below, in regard to FIG. 15, when thelabel and inter label gap voltages, V₁ and V₂, are found, so too are thecorresponding virtual-ground offset-voltage duty cycles, D_(e1) andD_(e2). As indicated above, the virtual-ground offset-voltage dutycycle, De, represents the On-to-Off duty cycle of the microprocessorcontrol signal that is used to generate the virtual ground reference,Voffset.

As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, thedetermination of D_(e1) and D_(e2) is made possible by the fact thatVout=Vin=Voffset independent of gain when the input voltage, Vin, isequal to the virtual ground, Voffset, for a difference amplifier asdescribed in FIG. 13. This becomes apparent if one recalls the equationin FIG. 13, which is essentially Vout=Voffset+Gain*(Vin−Voffset), whereGain=1+(R1/R2)*Dgain. When the difference between Vin and Voffset iszero, it follows that Vout=Voffset independent of gain, because any gaintimes zero is still zero. Accordingly, one method of determining thevirtual-ground offset-voltage duty cycle, De, corresponding to aparticular input voltage, Vin, is to adjust the amplifier's virtualground, Voffest, by adjusting, De, until no change in Vout is observedwith changes in gain. Therefore, returning to the fact that(Doffset−D_(e1))/(D_(e2)−D_(e1))=(Voffset−V₁)/(V₂−V₁), it follows that:

-   -   (Doffset−D_(e1))=((Voffset−V₁)/(V₂−V₁))*(D_(e2)−D_(e1)); and        finally,    -   Doffset=(((Voffset−V₁)/( V₂−V₁))*(D_(e2)−D_(e1)))+D_(e1).

FIG. 15 shows a media sensor calibration logic diagram for determiningthe virtual ground offset voltage (Voffset) and corresponding on-to-offduty cycle (Doffset) that will generate this offset voltage, for a givenmedia 13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theprocess begins, at Step 1, where the system finds the firststable-amplifier-output media position (“Point A”) by moving the media13 along the feed path 32 until the first stable output is found.However, before the media 13 is moved from its current position(whatever position that may be), the system sets the gain to minimum (1V/V) and increases the LED (or emitter) current, D_(i), until the outputvoltage, Vout, of the signal-conditioning module (or amplifier) 92equals V_(T2). If the emitter current, D_(i), reaches a maximum valuebefore the output voltage, Vout, reaches V_(T2), the system increasesthe gain until Vout=V_(T2). This procedure allows for optimal detectionof small changes in media opacity by placing the signal, Vout, in thecenter of the operational region of the processor 96's A-to-D converter(i.e., because, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, V_(T2) was set at a levelthat corresponds to the 50% point of the A-to-D converter's operationalregion).

With the emitter current, Di, and the gain set accordingly, the media 13is then moved along the feed path 32 until the first stable output isfound. If the signal (Vout) presented at the Analog-to-Digital converterof the micro-processor 96 moves beyond the operational range of theconverter, i.e. the signal goes into saturation or cut-off, the gain andthen the emitter (LED) current is lowered until the signal is returnedto the operational range of the A-to-D converter. The first stableoutput is found by moving the media 13 until a stable signal (Vout) isobtained for a distance deemed significant enough to guarantee that theedge of a label is not between the emitter 76 and the detector of thesensor 78. This Media position is declared Point A.

At Step 2, the system finds the LED Current, D_(i), such that theamplifier output (Vout) of the signal-conditioning module 92 is equal tothe upper level target value (V_(T2)) with the gain set to minimum (1V/V). By setting the gain to minimum (1 V/V), the amplifier outputvoltage (Vout) will be equal to the amplifier input voltage (Vin), withthe actual value of such voltage being a function of the LED Current,D_(i). Accordingly, with the gain set to minimum (1 V/V), the systemincreases D_(i) from a minimum value to a maximum value, stopping ifVout=V_(T2). At the conclusion of this step (i.e., when Vout reachesV_(T2), or when Di reaches its maximum value (D_(iMAX)), whicheveroccurs first), the system records the current output voltage (Vout) asV_(OA), where V_(OA) represents the amplifier 92 input voltage (sensor78 output voltage) at Point A, with the LED Current, D_(i), set to thevalue obtained in Step 2. Because it cannot yet be determined whetherPoint A is on a label or an inter-label gap portion of the media 13, itis not yet known whether V_(OA) corresponds to V₁ or V₂, as described inregard to FIG. 14.

The process continues, at Step 3, where the system finds the offset dutycycle, D_(eA), that corresponds to the offset voltage equal to theamplifier 92 input voltage (V_(OA)) at Point A. To do so, the systemfirst notes Vout with the gain set to minimum (1 V/V). This value can bereferred to as the no-gain value of Vout at Point A. The system thenproceeds to set the gain to maximum, which should cause Vout to increaseor saturate. Next, as illustrated in Step 3 of FIG. 15, the systemincreases the virtual-ground offset-voltage duty cycle, De, from aminimum to a maximum value, stopping if Vout drops below the previouslynoted no-gain value of Point A. At such time that Vout drops below thepreviously noted no-gain value of Point A, D_(eA) is set equal to thevalue of De that causes Voffset to equal Vin. The system then sets thegain to minimum (1 V/V) in preparation for finding the nextstable-amplifier-output media position (“Point B”).

The next stable-amplifier-output media position (Point B) is found inStep 4. In one embodiment, the system initiates this step by moving themedia 13 along the feed path 32 until the next stable output is found.The next stable output is found by moving the media 13 until a stablesignal (Vout) is obtained for a distance deemed significant enough toguarantee that the edge of a label is not between the emitter 76 and thedetector of the sensor 78. This Media position is declared Point B. Ifthis is the second time this step is being performed, the system canmove the media 13 back along the feed path 32 instead of forward. Oncethe next stable output is found, the system records the current outputvoltage (Vout) as to V_(OB), where V_(OB) represents the amplifier 92input voltage (sensor 78 output voltage) at Point B, with the LEDCurrent, D_(i), set to the value obtained in Step 2.

The process continues, at Step 5, where the system finds the offset dutycycle, D_(eB), that corresponds to the offset voltage equal to theamplifier 92 input voltage (V_(OB)) at Point B. To do so, the systemfirst notes Vout with the gain set to minimum (1 V/V). This value can bereferred to as the no-gain value of Vout at Point B. The system thenproceeds to set the gain to maximum, which should cause Vout to increaseor saturate. Next, as illustrated in Step 5 of FIG. 15, the systemincreases the virtual-ground offset-voltage duty cycle, De, from aminimum to a maximum value, stopping if Vout drops below the previouslynoted no-gain value of Point B. At such time that Vout drops below thepreviously noted no-gain value of Point B, D_(eB) is set equal to thevalue of De that causes Voffset to equal Vin. The system then sets thegain to minimum (1 V/V) in preparation for finding the nextstable-amplifier-output media position, if necessary.

The system then advances to Step 6 where it determines whether the LEDcurrent, D_(i), needs to be reduced. In particular, the LED currentneeds to be reduced if the system determines that, at Point B,D_(i)>D_(iMIN) and Vout >V_(T2). If this is the case, then, withoutmoving the media 13, the calibration process returns to Step 2, wherethe system again finds the LED Current, D_(i), such that the amplifieroutput (Vout) of the signal-conditioning module 92 is equal to the upperlevel target value (V_(T2)) with the gain set to minimum (1 V/V). Inparticular, with the gain set to minimum (1 V/V), the system againincreases the emitter current, D_(i), from a minimum value to a maximumvalue, stopping if Vout=V_(T2). The system then proceeds with each ofthe remaining steps as described above.

On the other hand, if the system, at Step 6, determines that the LEDcurrent does not need to be reduced, either because D_(i) already equalsD_(iMIN) or Vout <=V_(T2), the system proceeds to Step 7 where it sortsthe amplifier-output and offset-duty-cycle values for Points A and B. Inother words, it is at this point that the system determines whetherPoint A corresponds to a label and Point B to an inter-label gap, orvice versa. Specifically, if V_(OA)>V_(OB), then V₂=V_(OA),D_(e2)=D_(eA), V₁=V_(OB), and D_(e1)=D_(eB). Or, alternatively, ifV_(OB)>V_(OA, then V) ₂=V_(OB), D_(e2)=D_(eB), V₁=V_(OA), andD_(e1)=D_(eA). With Points A and B properly sorted, the system proceedsto Step 8 where it computes the final virtual ground offset voltage(Voffset) and corresponding duty cycle (Doffset) in accordance with thefollowing equations that were discussed above in regard to FIG. 14:Gain=(V_(T2)−V_(T1))/(V₂−V₁); Dgain=(Gain−1)/(R1/R2);Voffset=Gain*V₂−V_(T2))/(Gain−1); andDoffset=(((Voffset−V₁)/(V₂−V₁))*(D_(e2)−D_(e1)))+D_(e1), where the dutycycles are limited to values between 0% and 100%.

Another aspect of the present invention includes using averagingtechniques to determine average values for the opacity measurementstaken of the media 13. These average values can, in turn, be used toachieve an even better estimate or representation of the correspondingsignal levels obtained above. In addition to opacity changes in themedia 13 due, for example, to the presence of labels and inter-labelgaps, there is also an error signal in the media's opacity caused by thefact that most media types are not perfectly homogenous. Error signalsmay also be introduced by certain time-varying performancecharacteristics of sensor components. Such inconsistencies in the media13 and/or performance characteristics of related sensor componentscreate a noise signal that essentially rides along the opacity profileof the media as it moves past the sensing point of the sensor 78.

As a result, opacity measurements (e.g., V₁, V₂) made at a first pointalong the media 13, such as at the beginning of a calibration, may notalways be representative of other points encountered along the media. Inparticular, if only one set of opacity measurements is used to determinethe appropriate signal levels, as described above, and thesemeasurements happen to be atypical of other points along the media 13,then the resulting gain and offset values may also be atypical of suchother points. Thus, by averaging a series of opacity measurements takenat different times and at different points along the media 13, thesystem can achieve a better estimate or representation of what theaverage label opacity is, and likewise, what the average gap opacity isfor the media.

FIG. 16 illustrates a first set of possible scenarios associated withdetermining the virtual ground offset voltage (Voffset) andcorresponding duty cycle (Doffset) for a given media 13, where positionA is on a label and Position B is on a gap. In the first scenario ofFIG. 16, the label opacity is high enough to prevent the sensor signalfrom reaching V_(T2), at position A, with the LED Current at Max. Atposition B, the gap opacity is lower than the label opacity, but stillhigh enough to prevent the sensor signal from reaching V_(T2) with theLED Current at Max. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signalconditioning module (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the outputsignal of the sensor 78 in a manner indicated by the corresponding firstdashed line shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 16.

In the second scenario of FIG. 16, the label opacity is high enough toprevent the sensor signal from reaching V_(T2), at position A, with theLED Current at Max, and the gap opacity is low enough to allow thesensor signal to exceed V_(T2), at position B. Therefore, as indicatedabove, the system restarts the calibration on the gap (new point A′),and then moves back to the label (new point B′). This will result in alower LED Current, which, in turn, will result in the sensor signalbeing lower on the label. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signalconditioning module (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the outputsignal of the sensor 78 in a manner indicated by the correspondingsecond dashed line shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 16.

In the third scenario of FIG. 16, the label opacity allows the sensorsignal to reach V_(T2), at position A, with the LED Current between Minand Max, and the gap opacity is low enough for the sensor signal toexceed V_(T2), at position B, with the LED Current at the setting fromPosition A. Thus, the system again restarts calibration on the Gap (newpoint A′), and then moves back to the label (new point B′). This willresult in a lower LED Current, and may result in Min current with thesensor signal at point A′ exceeding V_(T2). Therefore, the sensor signalwill be lower on the label. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signalconditioning module (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the outputsignal of the sensor 78 in a manner indicated by the corresponding thirddashed line shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 16.

In the fourth scenario of FIG. 16, the label opacity is low enough thatthe sensor signal exceeds V_(T2), at position A, even with LED Currentis at Min. Furthermore, the gap opacity is lower than the label opacity,causing the sensor signal, at position B, to exceed the sensor signal atposition A and V_(T2) with the LED Current at the setting from PositionA. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signal conditioning module (oramplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the output signal of the sensor 78in a manner indicated by the corresponding fourth dashed line shown inthe bottom portion of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 illustrates a second set of possible scenarios associated withdetermining the virtual ground offset voltage (Voffset) andcorresponding duty cycle (Doffset) for a given media 13, where PositionA is on a gap and Position B is on a label. In the first scenario ofFIG. 17, the gap opacity is high enough to prevent the sensor signalfrom reaching V_(T2), at position A, with the LED Current at Max, andthe label opacity is higher than the gap opacity, resulting in lowersignal at position B. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signalconditioning module (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the outputsignal of the sensor 78 in a manner indicated by the corresponding firstdashed line shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 17.

In the second scenario of FIG. 17, the gap opacity is low enough toallow the sensor signal to reach V_(T2), at position A, with the LEDCurrent between Min & Max. Furthermore, the label opacity is higher thanthe gap opacity, resulting in a lower signal at position B. Accordingly,in this scenario, the signal conditioning module (or amplifier) 92 wouldamplify and shift the output signal of the sensor 78 in a mannerindicated by the corresponding second dashed line shown in the bottomportion of FIG. 17.

In the third scenario of FIG. 17, the gap opacity is low enough that thesensor signal exceeds V_(T2), at position A, even with the LED Currentat Min. As also shown in this scenario, the label opacity is higher thanthe gap opacity, resulting in a lower signal at position B. Accordingly,the signal conditioning module (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shiftthe output signal of the sensor 78 in a manner indicated by thecorresponding third dashed line shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 17.

In the fourth scenario of FIG. 17, the gap opacity is again low enoughthat the sensor signal exceeds V_(T2), at position A, even with LEDCurrent at Min. Furthermore, the label opacity is higher than the gapopacity, but not high enough to result in a signal below V_(T2), atposition B. Accordingly, in this scenario, the signal conditioningmodule (or amplifier) 92 would amplify and shift the output signal ofthe sensor 78 in a manner indicated by the corresponding fourth dashedline shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 17.

As with the self-calibrating media edge sensor arrangement describedabove, the present media edge detection arrangement can also beconfigured to operate in a black mark detecting mode (or reflectivemode). For example, in one embodiment, the invention can be selectablebetween dual modes. In a first mode, the sensor 78 and related signalprocessing system 82 operate as described above, monitoring webtransmissivity changes resulting from spaces between labels. In a secondmode, the sensor 78 and related signal processing system 82 monitor webreflectivity changes resulting from the passage of black mark(s) 20placed on the back side of the media 13. To add the second mode, asecond emitter 79 can be located proximate the sensor 78 to illuminatethe sensor side of the web 13. With the circuit in black mark detectingmode, the first emitter 76 is disabled and the second emitter 79 isenergized.

As similarly illustrated previously in FIGS. 8-9, the signal levelprogression of the sensor 78 operates with an inverted steady state asthe sensor receives the second emitter 79's output reflection from theweb, causing an elevated output between black marks 20. When a blackmark approaches, the resulting lowered reflection from the web isdetected by the sensor 78 causing a drop in the sensor output level. Inone embodiment, the opacity profile of the media 13 in the black mark(or reflective) detecting mode can be inverted so that the resultingopacity profile appears much as it would in the transmissive mode. Usingthe techniques described above, by again controlling one or more of thepower to the emitter current, and the gain and virtual ground offsetvoltage of the signal conditioning module 92, the system will producesensor output signals that can be discriminated by the signal processingsystem 82 on the main logic board 80.

Another aspect of the present invention includes using a collimatedlight source, such as a VCSEL or side emitting laser for sensing mediaedge detection events. The embodiments above were described primarily inthe context of using an LED for the emitter 76. However, one problemwith LEDs is that they do not have columnized light beams, but insteadsend out light that is dispersed and not focused. Because LEDs are notfocused, the opening on a corresponding detector window has to be fairlywide, and as a result, the detector tends to receive a lot of ambientlight and other noise. The advent of improved (e.g., lower power, lessexpensive) laser technology, which provides a more focused light beam,allows for improved edge detection performance with less noise and otherissues related to LEDs. In some cases, this has been shown to increaseedge detection accuracy by a factor of four or better.

FIG. 18 shows a high level block diagram of a media edge detectionarrangement 108 using, for example, a VCSEL 120 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The arrangement 108 includes asignal processing system 110 having a signal conditioning module 112, anedge sensing module 114 and a processor 116. The processor 116 can beused to perform a number of functions including controlling theoperation of the VCSEL 120 via the VCSEL control circuit 118. It shouldbe noted, however, that the power applied to the VCSEL 120 is typicallynot varied as was disclosed above with regard to varying the power tothe LED emitter 76. In one embodiment, the laser 120 that is used is amodel SFH9210 VCSEL with reflective transmitter manufactured by Osram.As shown, the VCSEL 120 is configured to transmit a beam of infraredlight through the media 13 towards the sensor 122.

The output signal of the sensor 122 can be fed through a filteringmodule 124, which may include a notch filter used for hooking signalswithin a certain frequency range while filtering out ambient light andother noise that might be detected. An amplifier 126 may also beincluded for amplifying the signal after it has been filtered. Thesignal is then provided to the signal processing system 110, where thesignal conditioning module 112 is used to normalize the signal to acertain range of levels for detection. In one embodiment, the signalconditioning module 112 adjusts the signal to about sixty percent of itsinput level before presenting the normalized signal to the edge sensingmodule 114. The edge sensing module 114 can then be used to determinevarious transition events associated with the media 13, as describedabove. For example, using the techniques above, the edge sensing module114 can be used to determine a label signal level and an inter-label gapsignal level for the media 13, which, in turn, can be used to set anappropriate threshold for detecting the edge of a label.

As with the other embodiments described above, it should be noted thatthe VCSEL 120 and corresponding sensor 122 can be configured to operateon either side of the media 13 for a given application. Similarly, theVCSEL 120 can also be configured to operate in a reflective mode, wherea receiver/sensor (not shown) is located adjacent or integral to theVCSEL for receiving return signals reflected off of one side (e.g., theback) of the media 13. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of sensors122 could be positioned along one side of the media 13 and the VCSEL 120could be configured to move back and forth along the media path to findnotches, black strips and other identifying marks on a label.

Although the various embodiments described above have been discussedwith regard to sensing where the edge of a label is for aligning theprinter or the printhead with the label so as to have properregistration and data on the label when printed, it is understood thatthese techniques have various other uses within the printer. Thisincludes any situation where there is a need to detect that a label ispresent. For example, some printers include a peel bar assembly such asillustrated in FIG. 19, which allows a label to be peeled after it hasbeen printed and presented to a user in a peeled state. The assembly 128includes a peel bar 130 in communication with the liner or backing ofthe media and a peel roller 132 in communication with the platen 38. Inthe peel mode, the media with the label is fed over the peel bar and theliner is fed between the platen 38 and peel roller. When the media isadvanced by the platen, the liner or backing is separated from the label134, and the label is presented to the user.

In this particular instance, it is typically not advisable for theprinter to print a next label until the user has removed the previouslabel. Otherwise, the leading label may drop to the floor or adhere tothe printer. This may also be a problem for non-label media. Forexample, a printer may be used to print on continuous media such as toprint receipts that can be cut, partially cut, or torn off afterprinting. It may be desirable to not print a next receipt until theleading receipt is removed. Further, some printers use linerless mediathat has an adhesive on the back surface, which can stick to the printeror fall and stick to the floor if not removed prior to a next print.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that caneliminate such concerns. Specifically, the embodiment includes a sensor136 that is either part of or adjacent to the peel assembly. The sensoris directed in front of the peel bar 130 for sensing whether a label ispresent. In one embodiment, the sensor may include an LED or acollimated light source, such as a side emitting laser, a VCSEL orsimilar laser system that directs light to a position in front of thepeel bar. The sensor may further include a light receiver. When a labelis present, light from the light source is reflected from the label tothe sensor. Once the label is removed, the sensor no longer senses thereflected light. This sensor indication can be monitored by the printcontroller to thereby determine when the label is removed. This could besimilarly used in non-label media applications such as receipt printersand a printer that uses linerless media.

FIG. 19 illustrates a particular example in which the sensor comprisestwo sensors, 138 and 140, respectively. One of the sensors 138 isdirected toward a position in front of the peel bar 130 to sense thepresence of a label. The other sensor 140 is directed at the liner orbacking material as it feeds from the peel bar 130 to the peel roller132. In this configuration, the sensors may monitor both the presence oflabel in front of the peel bar and the liner or backing material. Thesensor 138 indicates when a label is present.

The sensor 140 can have several purposes. For example, it can be used todetermine if there has been a problem with peeling of a label. If alabel does not peel properly from the liner, it will continue to feedwith the liner toward the peel roller. When the label travels past thesensor 140, the sensor will note a change in opacity and signal to theprint controller that there is a jam or malfunction.

In addition or alternatively, the sensor 140 could also be usedautomatically to sense a peel mode configuration of the printer.Specifically, most printers are configured to either peel or not peelthe liner or backing from the label. Some printers require that the useractively feed the liner or backing over the peel bar and through thepeel roller, while other printers provide flip down peel bar mechanismthat are activated by the user to place the printer in peel mode.Unfortunately, with most of these conventional systems, the user mustmanually input to the printer to operate in a peel mode configuration.In the present invention, however, the sensor 140 can be used to sensewhen liner or backing material is present between the peel bar and peelrollers and automatically relay to the printer controller that theprinter is in peel mode.

In yet another additional or alternative embodiment, either one or bothor possibly several sensors, 138 and 140, can be used by the printer toensure that the user has properly installed the media. For example, thesensor or sensors 140 could be placed along the intended feed path ofthe liner or backing when in the peel mode. If the user has indicatedthat he/she is using the printer in the peel mode, these sensors canprovide information to the printer controller to ensure that the mediahas been properly fed over the peel bar and the peel rollers.

The sensors 138 and 140 may also be used to relay information concerningthe labels and or liner or backing material. Specifically, the labelsmay include information on the back of the label that is machinereadable, such as marks, bar codes, etc., that can be detected for readby sensor 138 and relayed to the printer controller when the label ispeeled. Similarly, the liner could include information on a top surfacethat is visible when the label is peeled away. This information can bedetected or read by the sensor 140 and relayed to the printercontroller.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a sensor, 76 and 78, may be located in theprinter housing at a location between the roll of media and theprinthead. This sensor or series of sensor may also be used to determinethe type of media located in the printer. For example, the sensor maysense transitions between label and liner and relay to the printcontroller that the media is linered label stock. The printer might usethis information to place the printer in peel mode.

As mentioned above, the embodiments may use a collimating light sourcesuch as a side emitting laser or VCSEL. As illustrated in FIG. 19, thelight source and sensors for detecting the presence of a label may belocated either outside or near an opening of the printer. In thislocation, external light may affect sensor performance. The use of acollimated light source allows for use of sensors having narrower lightacceptance windows, which in turn reduces the affects of ambient lighton the sensors.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to ratios,integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalentsare herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departurefrom the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modificationsmay be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a printhead for printing on a media, whereinthe media comprises a label supported by a liner; a platen disposedadjacent to the printhead for advancing the media past the printhead;and a peel assembly disposed adjacent to the platen for separating thelabel from the liner; and a sensor disposed adjacent to the peelassembly for sensing the media.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a print controller, the print controller configuredto receive a signal from the sensor indicating whether the label hasbeen separated from the liner.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the peel assembly comprises a peel bar for separating the labelsfrom the liner and wherein the platen is configured to drive the mediato engage the peel bar such that the label is separated from the liner.4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises: afirst sensor disposed adjacent to the peel bar for sensing the media ina first sensing area; and a second sensor disposed adjacent to the peelbar for sensing the media in a second sensing area.
 5. An apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the first and second sensing areas aredisposed downstream of the peel bar, and wherein the label is fed intothe first sensing area while the liner is fed into the second sensingarea.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a printcontroller configured to receive a first sensor signal from the firstsensor indicating whether the label has been fed into the first sensingarea.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a print controller configured to receive a secondsensor signal from the second sensor indicating whether the mediadisposed in the second sensing area defines a first opacity associatedwith the liner having no label supported thereon or a second opacityassociated with the liner having the label supported thereon.
 8. Anapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprisesa print controller configured to receive a second sensing signal fromthe second sensor indicating whether the liner is present within thesecond sensing area for determining whether the apparatus is in a peelmode.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first sensor isdisposed proximate an opening.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the first sensor is an edge sensor and the second sensor is areference sensor, the reference sensor defining a broader sensing areathan the edge sensor.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thesecond sensor defines a broader sensing area than the first sensor andthe apparatus further comprises a comparator in communication with thefirst sensor and the second sensor for receiving respective signalstherefrom and determining transition edges of the media from thesignals.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor isconfigured to detect information included on the media and furtherconfigured to communicate a signal associated with the information to aprint controller.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein theinformation on the media is disposed on a back surface of the label;wherein the sensor detects the information disposed on the back surfaceof the label, the information being exposed to the sensor after themedia engages the peel bar and the label is separated from the liner;and wherein the print controller is configured to receive a signal fromthe sensor, the signal being associated with the information disposed onthe back surface of the label.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the information on the media is disposed on a top surface of theliner; wherein the sensor detects the information disposed on the topsurface of the liner, the information being exposed to the sensor afterthe media engages the peel bar and the label is separated from theliner; and wherein the print controller is configured to receive asignal from the sensor, the signal associated with the informationdisposed on the top surface of the liner.
 15. An apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising a light source for emitting energy directedat the media, wherein the emitted energy is at least one of passedthrough or reflected by the media and received by the sensor.
 16. Anapparatus according to claim 15, wherein said light source emits acollimating light.
 17. A method comprising: advancing a media between aplaten and a printhead toward a peel assembly, wherein the mediacomprises a label supported by a liner; separating, at least partially,the label from the liner; sensing the media via a sensor, the sensor ata location proximate to the peel assembly.
 18. A method according toclaim 17, wherein sensing further includes determining a characteristicof the media.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the peelassembly includes a peel bar; and wherein separating includes separatingthe label from the liner, the label being separated as the media engagesthe peel bar.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein sensingincludes sensing the label in a sensing area, the sensing areas beingdisposed adjacent to the peel bar such that the label enters the firstsensing area as the label is being separated from the liner.
 21. Amethod according to claim 19, wherein sensing includes sensing whetherthe media disposed in a sensing area defines a first opacity associatedwith the liner having no label supported thereon or a second opacityassociated with the liner having the label supported thereon, thesensing area being disposed at a location where the liner passes afterengaging the peel bar; and wherein the method further comprisesreceiving a signal from a sensor indicating whether the media definesthe first opacity or the second opacity.
 22. A method according to claim19, wherein sensing includes: sensing the label in a first sensing area,the first sensing are being disposed adjacent to the peel bar such thatthe label enters the first sensing area as the label is being separatedfrom the liner, and sensing whether the media disposed in a secondsensing area defines a first opacity associated with the liner having nolabel supported thereon or a second opacity associated with the linerhaving the label supported thereon, the second sensing area beingdisposed at a location where the liner passes after engaging the peelbar.
 23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising: receiving afirst sensor signal from a first sensor indicating the presence of alabel in the first sensing area; and receiving a second sensor signalfrom a second sensor indicating whether the media defines the firstopacity or the second opacity.
 24. A method according to claim 19,wherein sensing further comprises receiving a sensor signal from asensor indicating that an apparatus is operating in a peel mode, thesensor detecting the absence of the media in the peel assembly.
 25. Amethod according to claim 19, wherein sensing includes sensinginformation included on the media; and wherein the method furthercomprises receiving a signal from a sensor based on the information. 26.A method according to claim 25, wherein the information is disposed on aback surface of the label; wherein sensing includes sensing theinformation on the back side of the label after the label has beenseparated from the liner; and wherein receiving includes receiving asignal from a sensor associated with the information on the back surfaceof the label.
 27. A method according to claim 25, wherein theinformation is disposed on a top surface of the liner, the informationbeing detectable when the label is separated from the liner; whereinsensing includes sensing the information on a top surface of the linerafter the label is separated from the liner, and wherein receivingincludes receiving a signal from a sensor associated with theinformation on the top surface of the liner.
 28. A method according toclaim 17, wherein sensing includes sensing an area disposed at alocation proximate the opening.
 29. A method according to claim 17,further comprising emitting energy directed at the media, wherein theemitted energy is at least one of passed through or reflected by themedia.
 30. A method according to claim 29, wherein emitting energyincludes emitting collimating light.